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Marching out to Gull Point on Presque Isle. The trail was a bit washed out, but not an obstacle for these wetlanders.

The Pymatuning Wetlanders visited Presque Isle today, where we observed coastal processes and successional change. After a stop at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, explored the peninsula to observe coastal wetlands and processes. This included a hike out to Gull point, located at the tip of the peninsula, to observe the youngest landscape and wetlands. We did some wading in Lake Erie to cool off, had lunch on the beach, on our way home we stopped for the long-promised ice cream. A fun day before tomorrow’s final exam.

Some young ponds on Gull Point, the youngest portion of Presque Isle.

It is vey hard to determine which one does not belong….

Dead Phragmites on Presque Isle. They are trying hard to get rid of it.

The Pymatuning wetlanders finished up some experiments with Sphagnum moss this morning, in an effort to better understand how this ecosystem engineer manages to acidify its surroundings. We then discussed salt marshes, particularly food webs and sulfur biogeochemistry. A field trip to Presque Isle took up the afternoon, and we were able to observe coastal processes and wetlands in this geomorphologically dynamic setting.

During the drive to Presque Isle, I overheard quite a few scientific names of plants being mentioned in the back of the van….tomorrow is the mid-term exam. We returned to PLE a bit early so that the students could have some extra time to continue studying.

Unfortunately, all of this studying for the exam has caused a couple of students to completely lose their minds, as highlighted in the video below.